SOCIAL isolation and loneliness are said to be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Research by Age UK shows there are 4,903 people living in isolation in Barnsley.

The Chronicle has pledged to feature groups and individuals who want to help put an end to social isolation and loneliness.

This week, it’s the turn of:

Agewell Wombwell

The group meets fortnightly at the parish hall at St Michael’s Church on Park Street in Wombwell. The group was formed 20 years ago and has 60 members on its books.

On average, about 40 turn up every fortnight. Activities range from speakers, demonstrations and entertainers to outings and pie and pea lunches.

Secretary Audrey Salmon, 84, of Darfield, said: “We have been all over on trips, and we ask the members for suggestions. We do two or three trips a year. As for the speakers, we’ve had an ex-policeman who came to tell us about some of the funny things which happened to him while he was a policeman, and people who have searched their family trees who came to tell us what they found. A well-known speaker called Stephen Gay talks about railways and brings slides. There are the usual raffles and members’ draw and we have choirs who come to sing to us members like that very much.”

The group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays from 1.45pm. E-mail audrey.salmon@hotmail.co.uk

Harley Village Mission Rooms Trust

The building which is now Harley Village Mission Rooms was bequeathed to the people of Harley, near Hoyland Common, in 1887. It was initially used as a church, but is now an all-purpose community centre, which hosts a range of activities. Cynthia Shaw, who helped convert the building, has got a group of ladies making poppies, whether it be knitting or crocheting, which will be displayed as part of a poppy waterfall at a special concert to mark 100 years since the end of World War One.

She has found more and more people are attending poppy-making sessions on a Wednesday morning, and already has about 3,000 poppies.

“A lot of the people in Harley are older people who live alone. I’ve got this group going, and I’ve got a lot of ladies in the village making a poppy waterfall.

“Harley is only a little village. The bus service is rubbish and some people can’t get out and are stuck.

“Older people are coming out of their homes, and they are socialising with each other.

“They are making new friendships and encouraging neighbours to come. People are making them at home as well. They’ve really taken to it.”

The concert to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One will be held at Harley Mission Rooms on November 3. There will be a performance from the Salvation Army Central brass band, and schoolchildren will give readings.

The group meets on Wednesdays from 10am to noon at the rooms on Harley Road.